Boccalatte-Piolti Refuge, from Planpincieux

Introduction

Not a very long, but intense hike, reaching the base for the attack on the Grandi Jorasses.

Description

Leave the car at the car park and head towards the old village houses. Near the fountain (water) you will find the old signpost. The path leads out of the village, passing by the chapel and climbing first through a forest, then across the last meadows. The slope is steep, but not excessive. There is no doubt as to which path to follow, because no other uphill paths cross. After 50', you arrive at the end of the meadows and at a double ford of a stream, and then climb first along the banks of the second one, then on a very steep plateau, along which you will sometimes have to rest your hands to ensure your balance. Be very careful on wet ground. The end of this demanding section is symbolised, after 1h 30', by an iron ladder (about twenty steps), which is necessary to overcome a rock jump. The path continues steeply along a moraine ridge. The destination is increasingly visible above, but the advance is slow due to the steep path and the countless zig-zags. About an hour later, we turn left to cross a snowfield and the stream that forms there. Large blocks of ice precipitated from the glacier above suggest that we should not linger on this section of the trail, at least until we reach the base of the rocky island on which the hut is located. The path now becomes a simple rock path, facilitated by the presence of large fixed ropes. A little attention and a final anaerobic effort and you quickly reach the tiny terrace of the refuge. The more willing can continue a little further, still following the fixed ropes, and reach the top of the rocky island to enjoy a better view. Return along the same route. 

About the hut Managers: the friendly Luciana Pandolfi & Luke Wagner Website: www.caitorino.it/boccalatte.htm e-mail: luciana.pandolfi@yahoo.com Blog: blogs.bootsnall.com/luke Hut phone: (+39) 0165.844070 Mobile: 338.9478838 Open: weekends in June, then from 1st July to 1st September Photo gallery Boccalatte refuge (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini Boccalatte refuge (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini Boccalatte refuge (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini Boccalatte refuge (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini The departure of the itinerary Planpincieux chapel First exposed section The Boccalatte mountain hut (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini Boccalatte mountain hut (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini Boccalatte mountain hut (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini Boccalatte Refuge (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini Maurizio and the Val Veny The first ropes Last equipped section Boccalatte Refuge (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini Boccalatte Refuge (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini Boccalatte mountain hut (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini The friendly managers Lunch at Boccalatte Mountain hut The bunks Boccalatte mountain hut (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini Cartography * Mont Blanc - Map of Trails 1:25000 - Libreria Editrice L'Escursionista * IGC 1:25000 - Sheet 107 * Valdigne Mont-Blanc Les Sentiers 1:50000 - Mountain Community Valdigne - ©2003 Hapax

Dati sul rifugio Gestori: i simpatici Luciana Pandolfi & Luke Wagner Sito web: www.caitorino.it/boccalatte.htm e-mail: luciana.pandolfi@yahoo.com Blog: blogs.bootsnall.com/luke Telefono rifugio: (+39) 0165.844070 Cell. 338.9478838 Apertura: i fine settimana di giugno, poi dal 1° luglio al 1° settembre Galleria fotografica Rifugio Boccalatte (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini Rifugio Boccalatte (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini Rifugio Boccalatte (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini Rifugio Boccalatte (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini La partenza dell'itinerario Cappella di Planpincieux Primo tratto esposto La scaletta Rifugio Boccalatte (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini Rifugio Boccalatte (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini Rifugio Boccalatte (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini Rifugio Boccalatte (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini Maurizio e La Val Veny Le prime corde Ultimo tratto attrezzato Terrazza del Boccalatte Rifugio Boccalatte (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini Rifugio Boccalatte (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini Rifugio Boccalatte (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini I simpatici gestori Il pranzo al Boccalatte Le cuccette Rifugio Boccalatte (2803 m) - © 2004 Maurizio Bergamini Cartografia: * Monte Bianco - Carta dei Sentieri 1:25000 - Libreria Editrice L'Escursionista * IGC 1:25000 - Foglio 107 * Valdigne Mont-Blanc Les Sentiers 1:50000 - Comunità Montana Valdigne - ©2003 Hapax